Conditions:Summer like weather is finally starting to show it's face in Erie with temperatures this week hitting the mid 90's. The hot weather is actually a welcome relief from the long winter and unseasonably cool spring. Walleye and Perch action has been picking up with limits becoming more common. As is typically for the early part of the season, the best walleye action has been in shallower water, 20-35 feet west of Walnut Creek to the Ohio line. Many bass anglers have been stumbling on the walleye by accident. Fish in the 25" range have been common. Perch have been brought in, although reports vary as to where they are to be found. North of Walnut Creek and Trout Run in 35' of water have been target spots as well as off the point at Presque Isle in 35 to 40' of Water. Current Lake Erie Water temperature off Toledo is 68 degrees, off Cleveland, 61 degrees, and off the Port of Erie, 68 degrees.

Regular Bass Season Opens This Saturday:Regular Bass season opens this Saturday. Bass limits for Lake Erie, it's tributaries, and Presque Isle Bay are 4 fish (combined species small and large mouth) with a 15" minimum length beginning Saturday June 14th, 2008.

A Few Bass Techniques:Tube Jigs:Tube jigs are very popular along the lake shore. Combined with a 1/4 to 3/8 ounce lead head jig hook they can be deadly. Popular colors include pumpkin seed, chartreuse, black with sparkles, and brown. Working them off the bottom can be very productive.

Close-Quarters Jigging This technique works well for big large mouths, so you will need a strong and stiff rod. You will also need at least 20-pound monofilament line. Use monofilament because it is less abrasive then other lines. You will be fishing in heavy cover. It is recommended you use jigs with nylon bristles. This helps prevents snags. Work the jig into heavy cover. Then jig it up and down several times. The heavier the jig the better.

Top Water Buzzing Of all the top water baits available, the buzz bait is the most productive, versatile, and forgiving lures. It gets bass out of cover, and attracts them in open water. Most anglers fish a buzz bait too fast. Retrieve slowly so the blade just barely spins. This will catch you more fish. Keep the rod tip held high for best results.

Carolina-Rigging Soft Plastics The Carolina rig requires a 3/4 or 1 ounce egg or bullet sinker. Assemble a Carolina rig by threading the main line through the sinker, followed by a 8mm glass bead, and tie off to a swivel. The bead protects the knot, and makes noise when it hits the sinker. To the other end of the swivel, tie a 3 to 5 foot leader and a 3/0 offset worm hook. The leader should be monofilament, 10 to 14 pound test. Carolina rigs can be purchased pre rigged also. Add a 6-inch lizard, or a worm, crawfish, tube, or other soft plastic.

Deep-Cranking Spinner baits Fishing 8 to 20 feet of water with spinner baits can produce big bass. A heavier spinner bait is needed to get it down deep. A good color combination is gold and silver blades with chartreuse and white skirts. Position your boat in deep water, and cast over structure, ledges, or other bass holding areas. Let the lure sink to the bottom, then give a slight pull on the rod to start the blades. Maintain a slow retrieve to keep the lure near the bottom.

Twitching Floating Worms This technique works well by structure near open water such as boat docks. A twitching action of pull, then pause, works well. It simulates a dying minnow or worm. The Banjo Minnow is an example of this technique. Normally you can see the bait and any strikes. If you canít, be ready because fish on average will hit on the pause. You can cover good water with this technique.

Live Baits:Shiners, night crawlers and crawfish are all good choices for bass.

Boating Safety Tip: Make sure more than only one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boatís handling, operations, and other boating safety tips. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, itís important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.

Law Enforcement: Officers have found many early season safety violations on the water. Lack of, or non serviceable PFDs have been a common problem along with discharged fire extinguishers. Check your equipment carefully. Just because your gear was in great shape last year doesn't mean it is safe this season. Fire extinguishers can leak pressure and PFDs put away wet can become mildewed and unserviceable. Winter critters love the stuffing as well. Compressed air horns can leak and visual distress signals (flares) have expiration dates on them. Trailer lights put away full of water will unlikely work the following season. Be sure all required navigational lights are working and displayed between sunset and sunrise. Sunset and sunrise times can be found in the PFBC Boaters Handbook available at any boating store, most bait and tackle shops as well as on the PFBC website. A quick double check of on board safety gear may save your life.